My wm-d6c has developed a cackle on the headphone out that is being caused by the motor. I suppose it is really a hum but it sounds more like a cackle. It is independent of volume ie you can hear it with the volume down and it does not get louder when the volume is turned up.

It is definitely related to the motor turning as it is proportional to the speeding up or slowing down of the motor speed control. It can't be heard when the tape is playing and the passage of music is loud.

Is this a capcitor issue similar to bubs posthttp://stereo2go.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7316038164/m/5800010806.

If so which capacitor should I start with.

Perhaps I can help a bit.

First, clean and check all internal contacts- volume controls, and especially presets. My recent DC2 was crackling at first, and it was due to a preset, which was solved by lightly tapping it (easiest fix for crackling ever!) In my Walkman 7, it was a dirty dolby switch.

My D6C DID crackle a bit before I opened and cleaned the record/playback switch.

Next check grounding. If the screws that ground the case to the board are missing, the unit will have more noise through the headphone jack (this happens when i was servicing it with the walkman disassembled).